• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

What Molly Made

Eat to Feel Good

  • About
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Recipes
    • Christmas
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Appetizers
    • Dessert
    • Snacks
    • Side Dishes
    • Drinks
    • Special Diet
    • Holiday
    • Cooking Method
  • Dinner
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • PCOS
      • PCOS Recipes
      • PCOS Tips + Resources
      • Clean Living
      • FREE PCOS Email Course
    • Home and Decor
    • Mom Life
  • Cookbook
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Christmas Recipes
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Special Diet
  • PCOS
  • Appetizers
  • Snacks
  • Holiday
  • Cookbook
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

Updated: September 22, 2023 | Published on: January 15, 2020 - Molly Thompson1 Comment

Dairy Free RecipesDF
Gluten Free RecipesGF
Low Carb RecipesLC
Paleo RecipesP
Whole30 RecipesW
Jump to Recipe

This instant pot salsa chicken recipe can be made with thawed or frozen chicken for an easy, healthy dinner recipe. Use it for tacos, over rice or on top of a salad! This easy recipe will become a go-to for your family.

instant pot salsa chicken

I know instant pots can be kinda intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's really simple. That's why I want to cover some IP basics here so you feel confident using your IP!

Can you use frozen chicken in the instant pot?

Yep, you can put frozen chicken right into the IP. It's one of the best things about this instant pot salsa chicken recipe. You don't have to remember to thaw anything and you'll have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes. It only takes a few extra minutes to make this instant pot chicken from frozen.

How long does it take to cook chicken in the pressure cooker?

For thawed chicken: Once the IP comes to pressure (10 minutes), the chicken will cook for 8 minutes. Allow to natural release for 5 minutes then quick release for a total of 23 minutes.

For frozen chicken: Once the IP comes to pressure (12 minutes), the chicken will cook for 10 minutes. Allow to natural release for 5 minutes then quick release for a total of 27 minutes.

What if my instant pot flashes "burn"?

Usually if this happens you don't have enough liquid in the bottom of the IP or you haven't moved the valve to the "sealing" position.

Fix it: turn the valve to "venting to let the steam quick release, open the lid and check the instant pot for burnt bits on the bottom. Remove them, add a bit more water or stock then continue cooking.

chicken salsa instant pot

How to cook salsa chicken in instant pot:

  1. Start by adding salt and pepper to both sides of your chicken then place in the bottom of the instant pot.
  2. Cover the chicken with the salsa and chicken broth. Lock the lid and press "manual" or "pressure cook." Set the time for 8 minutes for thawed chicken or 11 minutes for frozen chicken.
  3. When the timer goes off allow to naturally release for 5 minutes then turn the valve to "venting" to quick release the pressure.
  4. Remove the chicken and place on a cutting board and shred with 2 forks.
  5. Add taco seasoning to the juices left in the IP and mix well until thickened. Add the chicken back into the pot and stir well.
instant pot chicken salsa

How many chicken breasts are in a pound?

One pound of chicken is roughly 2 chicken breasts. This recipe calls for 2 pounds of chicken, which is about 3-4 chicken breasts.

How long to cook salsa chicken in the instant pot:

You'll cook the chicken for 8 minutes if the chicken is thawed and 11 minutes if the chicken is frozen.

What to serve with instant pot salsa chicken:

Salsa chicken is so great because it's easy to make, it's healthy and it goes with so many things:

  • Rice
  • Tacos
  • Enchiladas
  • Salad
instant pot chicken salsa frozen

If you love this recipe, don't forget to follow me on Instagram and tag me with @what_mollymade so I can see it and feature you.

More Mexican meals:

  • One pot taco pasta
  • Slow cooker Mexican chicken casserole
  • Easy turkey taco stuffed peppers
  • Sheet pan chicken fajitas
  • Carne asada tacos
instant pot salsa chicken

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

This instant pot salsa chicken recipe can be made with thawed or frozen chicken for an easy, healthy dinner recipe. Use it for tacos, over rice or on top of a salad! This easy recipe will become a go-to for your family.
4.28 from 25 votes
Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 313kcal
Author: Molly Thompson
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast about 3-4 chicken breasts
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 ¼ cups chicken broth or stock
  • 1-16 ounce jar of mild salsa or your favorite salsa!
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • Fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro optional

Recommended Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot)

Instructions

  • Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken then place in the bottom of the stainless steel instant pot. Pour the chicken broth over it and add the jar of salsa, covering the chicken breast.
  • Lock the lid on the instant pot and make sure the valve is set to “sealing.” Press the pressure cook (Manual) button and set the timer for 8 minutes for thawed chicken and 11 minutes for frozen chicken. The instant pot will beep and then take about 10 minutes to come to pressure before counting down the cook time. It may take longer for the IP to come to pressure if the chicken is frozen.
  • When the timer goes off, allow the pressure cooker to naturally release (do nothing) for about 5 minutes then use a spoon or towel to turn the valve to “venting” to quick release the steam. This way you don’t burn your hand with any steam.
  • When the pressure is released, open the lid and transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Set the instant pot to “soup” mode. Add the taco seasoning and stir well. Allow to simmer and thicken.
  • Meanwhile, shred the chicken with two forks. Place the shredded chicken back in the instant pot with the cooking liquid. Top with fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro if desired.
  • Serve as tacos, over rice, with fajitas or in enchiladas.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 313kcal | Carbohydrates: 11.5g | Protein: 55g | Fat: 3.8g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 1603mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5.5g
Did you make this recipe?Mention @What_MollyMade or tag #whatmollymade!
instant pot salsa chicken recipe
salsa chicken recipe instant pot

More Recipes

  • three hazelnut shortbread cookies stacked on a cookie sheet
    Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies with Nutella Ganache
  • a tray of crackly ginger cookies with one of them missing a bite
    Chewy Molasses Ginger Cookies
  • a pistachio pudding cookie broken in half with melted white chocolate
    Pistachio Pudding Cookies
  • creme brulee cookies on parchment paper with sugar
    Creme Brulee Cookies

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

molly thompson from what molly made

I'm Molly! I'm so grateful you're here. My hope is that my recipes bless your home and your bodies. I want my website to be a tool to help you feel your best and nourish you with recipes you (and your family) look forward to making!

More about me →

Recipe Key:

Dairy FreeDF
Gluten-FreeGF
Low CarbLC
PaleoP
Refined Sugar FreeSF
VeganVg
VegetarianV
Whole30W

Christmas Cookies

  • a gooey chocolate chip pudding cookie with a bite taken out sitting on top of another fresh baked cookie
    Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies
  • brown butter toffee cookies cooling on parchment paper
    Brown Butter Toffee Cookies
  • a plate of soft eggnog cookies frosted with cream cheese frosting
    Frosted Eggnog Cookies (Melt in Your Mouth)
  • a bowl of ritz cookies with christmas sprinkles
    Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies

Trending Recipes

  • collage of reicpes for the post titled 50 pcos recipes that help to reverse symptoms
    50 PCOS Recipes: Healthy Dinners You'll Love!
  • a stack of 5 taylor swift chai cookies
    Taylor Swift Chai Cookies
  • Edible Cookie Dough
  • instant pot greek chicken and rice in a bowl with fresh lemon and parsley
    Instant Pot Greek Chicken and Rice

Order My Cookbook!

the cover of the anti inflammatory diet made simple cookbook

Amazon | Barnes&Noble

Learn more about the book here →

Copyright © 2023 · Privacy Policy